Golden Triangle with Himalayan Monasteries

Duration: 12 nights - 13 days
Locations: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - Bagdogara - Darjeeling - Pemayangtse -Gangtok - Kalimpong - Bagdogara - Delhi

Tour Highlights
Delhi	Raj Ghat, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple & Qutub Minar
Jaipur	Amber Fort, Elephant Ride, City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal ( Palace of Winds) Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani
Agra	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Sikandara (Akbar's Tomb), Magic Show & Fatehpur Sikri (en route),
Darjeeling	Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, Toy Train, Tibetan Refugee Camp, Museum, Botanical Garden & Tea Gardens
Pemayangtse	Pemayangtse monastery
Gangtok	Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology & Do-Drul Chorten.
Kalimpong	Thongsa Monastery (Bhutanese monastery), Tharpa Choling, Yellow Hat (Gelugpa Order)

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of  Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 02 : Delhi

Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor Bizarre
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 03 : Delhi – Jaipur (262km - 05hr)

Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Optional - Chokhi Dhani
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 04 : Jaipur

After an early breakfast, we drive 11 km to Amber, the capital of the gallant Rajputs from 1037 to 1728 AD. We ride on elephant back & reach Fort situated on hill & then visit the Fort Palace. Later we visit City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory & Palace of Winds.
Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B)

 

Day 05 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (260 km - 6 hrs)

After breakfast in the coffee shop, we drive at 0900 hrs to Agra. En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece in sandstone with the stunning elegance of its palaces & courts. Further proceed to Agra, upon arrival we help you check-in at our hotel at Agra. In the evening enjoy the magic show performed by the local magician.
Overnight Hotel- Agra. (B)

Day 06 : Agra - Delhi (220 km - 5 hrs)

Agra, erstwhile capital of great Mughals & known for Taj Mahal. It has always fascinated Indians & foreigners alike. Most of Agra is on West bank of river Yamuna, with the Agra Fort & Taj Mahal at its nucleus. Taj Mahal is quite simply one of mankind's most remarkable creations.
After early breakfast, we leave for sighseeing at 0800 hrs to visit the incredible architectural excellence of Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort, built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone Agra Fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. This massive Fort is 2.5 km long & is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red Fort.
Later in the afternoon we visit Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, built by Noor Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Before Taj Mahal was built, its rough design was already standing in the form of Itmad ud Daulah's Tomb. Next we visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb.

Later we drive back to delhi, transfer to hotel.
Overnight hotel - Delhi (B)

Day 07 : Delhi - Bagdogara (By Flight)
Bagdogra - Darjeeling (100 km-3 hrs)

Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Bagdogara, upon arrival in Bagdogara airport assistance & transfer to Darjeeling through winding road & lush green tea garden on the rolling hill slope. Upon arrival assistance & check-in hotel
Overnight Hotel- Darjeeling (B,L,D)

Day 08 : Darjeeling

Located at an altitude of 7000 ft., Darjeeling, one of the most reputed hill station in the Indian Subcontinent, is nested in the towering snow-capped mountain ranges, dominated by the almighty Kanchenjunga (Alt. 8598m). Early morning before breakfast visit to Tiger Hill (Alt 8500m) to view sunrise. Then we return to our hotel en route visiting the Ghoom Monastery, the most famous one of the area, built in 1875. Next is a Toy Train ride from Ghoom to Darjeeling. Breakfast at hotel. Morning visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Camp & Market. Lunch is suggested at the hotel. Afternoon visit to Museum, Botanical Garden & Tea Gardens within a 20 km radius.
Overnight Hotel- Darjeeling (B,L,D)

Day 09 : Darjeeling -Pemayangtse (65 km- 4 hrs)

Morning post breakfast drive to Pemayangtse. Pemayangtse plunges down into the hot, humid valley of the Teesta river where broad-leafed tropical plants thrive & then rises to a 2,085 m high ridge. Here in the 17th century, a Buddhist sage set up a hermitage which grew into Pemayangtse Monastery. Upon arrival assistance & check-in hotel.
Later in the afternoon we will visit Pemayangtse monastery situated at a height of 6840 feet which is the second largest monastery in Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to Nyingma-pa sect & is the head of all other monasteries of this sect in Sikkim. Evening at leisure
Overnight Hotel- Pemayangtse (B,L,D)

Day 10 : Pemayangtse - Gangtok (100 km- 4 hrs)

Early morning breakfast at hotel & drive to Gangtok. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim on a ridge overlooking the Ranipul River. Its name implies “High Hill” & the place is ever so famous for snow clad Himalayas, Rhododendron flowers, Orchids & rare Butterfly species, the Red Panda, traditional ethnic culture & a distinctive cuisine. On arrival we assist you to check in at our Hotel. Later in the evening visit to Enchey Monastery, built in 1909, & is home to about 100 Nyingmapa monks. Overnight Hotel- Gangtok (B,L,D)

Day 11 : Gangtok

This morning a drive of 24 km. to Rumtek Monastery, seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Afternoon tour includes Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, promotes research of the language & traditions of Tibet & contains one of the world's largest collections of books & rare manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. Followed by visit to Do-Drul Chorten, one of the most important reliquary stupas in Sikkim.
Overnight Hotel- Gangtok (B,L,D)

Day 12 : Gangtok - Kalimpong (80 km - 2 hrs)

Early morning drive to Kalimpong, a resort town for Monasteries. On arrival assistance & check-in hotel. Later in the afternoon we visit Thongsa Monastery (Bhutanese monastery) founded in 1692 & Tharpa Choling,Yellow Hat (Gelugpa Order) Tibetan monastery, built in 1837 at Tirpai. Evening at leisure
Overnight Hotel- Kalimpong (B,L,D)

Day 13 : Kalimpong - Bagdogara(70 km- 2 hrs)
Bagdogara- Delhi (By Flight), Departure

Morning post breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to international airport to board flight for onward journey.

Tour concludes. We thanks you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to the Railway Station / Airport for your onward travel.

Package includes:

• 12 Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis.
• Breakfast as per the itinerary.
• All meals in Darjeeling, Pemayangtse, Gangtok and Kalimpong.
• A/C transportation as per the itinerary (No transportation on leisure days).
• Non A/C transportation in Sikkim area.
• English speaking Guide for the Tour.
• Elephant ride in Jaipur.
• Magic show in Agra.
• Toy train in Darjeeling.

Package does not include:

• Any airfare or airport tax.
• All presently applicable taxes.
• Monument charges.
• Expenses of personal nature.
• Any other expense not mentioned in the Packages includes.

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